I leave in 30 days. That's only 4 more Sundays, 4 more weekends to split between friends/family/quiet time, and my birthday separating me from the craziest move of my life. Ahhh! It's crazy to think that time is that close. For some of you, a month sounds like a really long time - until you break it down and realize just how fast time goes. I panic when I realize I only have 4 more church services to sit by my family and then from then on every service will be in Spanish and spent sitting next to strangers. This last Sunday I just sat by my dad - started to giggle at the thought I would be watching Mexican children dancing during worship time instead of stiff necked adults too scared to even clap. :) I love my home church, but worship time in Mexico...they do it a little differently. That is when my panic emotion is calmed greatly - when I think of how great my trip was back in May. I can not wait to be back there.
- You can scroll to the bottom to get my scoop for today (it's heading is underlined towards the bottom) if you do not want to read the WHOLE story of how Mexico all came about!! :)
The journey to get here: aka My favorite part of the story to tell...just kind of long.
May 22-29 - Mexico Mission Trip to Roca Blanca. Amazing. Most of you know all about that trip via letters so I won't go into detail unless you ask me!! = ] But....I came home and told my parents all about my experience and knew it was the first time God spoke to me about WHERE He wanted me. I just did not know when. But I knew it was going to be soon. But not this soon....
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| I'm in the purple amongst the kiddos if you can find me! |
July 11th - Sunday night service where I defiantly get confirmation from the Lord to go to Mexico. Not later...but now. After church service, I go home - do not say a word when I walk in, find my mom, look at her and she speaks first, "You're not going to Mexico." It was crazy!! Funny how the Lord told her exactly what I was going to go home telling her before I even opened my mouth. Then my mom, dad and I sat in the living room from 11:15pm-3:00am discussing all the possibilities of an upcoming trip/move.
- COMPLICATIONS: I had already signed a year lease at a new apartment in Manhattan, had a roommate/best friend all excited for the next year, enrolled and paid for fall semester, no room for me back at home (my room was turned into an office when I left), friends I'd miss dearly, an amazing job in Manhattan, and a whole lot of confusion of why now.
July 12th - E-mailed David Nelson, missionary/mission base leader/Spanish school director, my heart's desires.
July 16th - A skype phone call from David explaining everything that would happen while I was in Mexico. We were both very excited about God working in my life and working towards me moving on with God's plan. I first had to apply to the Spanish school, be accepted, then if accepted, we would move forward.
July 16th:Later that day - David e-mailed me from Mexico, extending the invitation and acception to the missionary base in Roca Blanca.
- PANIC SETS IN. First thing was first...I had an apartment I was moving into in two weeks. I had to be out of my current apartment in one week. It was a hot mess to try and figure out. But one of my complications went away - my family had cleaned out a basement bedroom during all of this period of time to get new carpet - not knowing it would be because God was moving me back home.
July 16th - An hour after my acceptance e-mail...my phone rings. Guess who it is!? A 23 year old girl asking to sublease my apartment!!!! AN HOUR LATER. The ONE thing I was most concerned about - God had already taken care of less than an hour later.
July 17th - Turned in my two weeks notice at my job. It was a sad because I loved that job. Funny how through me moving to Mexico to help a missionary base lead to a conversation about "following God's call" and "why I was being so crazy" with my management team.
July 19th - Roland Broeder (missionary in Great Bend, KS) called in a panic because he did not have a camp leader for August 2nd - 6th. I laughed when I talked to him because I informed him that because of the events over the last week - I was going to be officially moved back to Great Bend the 1st of August. A day before he needed me at camp. I had always wanted to work at Solid Rock Bible camp, just never was in the area to do so. And now...I was going to get to be a part of 11-13 year old's life for a week.
: ) Anyone seeing a reoccurring theme yet? I surrendered to God's plan - and suddenly NUMEROUS things start falling into place with out me doing a thing.
July 25th - Moving day. My family came to Manhattan, we went to church, ate lunch, and moved all of my stuff from Manhattan to Great Bend. << THANKS BOYS!
July 25th: 9pm - after moving everything into the house and into the basement room..... I went out to Faith Community Church and asked the youth pastor if they needed a couch we were giving away. He said, no, and quickly followed it with a question asking me if I wanted to be a leader on their trip that weekend to Colorado.
July 30-August 1st - Spent a weekend in Colorado with Faith Community Youth Group at Heavenfest!
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Some kids and I attempting to jump all at the same time and capture the moment via camera... impossible :) |
August 2nd-6th - Spent an amazing week with some great kids. This is a huge story in itself - so if you want details just ask!! Funny how when you are suppose to be the one ministering to someone, you end up being ministered to the most.
A big thanks to all of the campers - they raised over $500 for my trip. My flight has been paid for! Praise God!! = ]
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| My cabin devotion group (minus one) |
August 7th-15th - Family vacation in Colorado: Estes Park, Colorado Springs, Manatou, Denver...we went everywhere. It was a great time, but i was just ready to finally be home and relax.
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| About to get drenched! |
Lately: I have had two weeks at home to just relax, do things around the house for mom and dad, meeting up with friends, help out at youth groups, and begin digging into Christian books and my Bible. There has been up and downs the last few weeks but all in all, it has been awesome to just be able to step back and really focus on what THE NEW CHAPTER of life brings.
Today: Today, I cleaned the house for my family. That includes the following duties: vaccuuming the whole house, oiling every peice of furniture, clean off every peice of glass, dishes, scrubbing the sinks, cleaning the inside and outside of the toilets, clean the rugs, and mowing. After that I was a little tired. : ) Attempted to take a nap, but was only successful for about 30 minutes. I am not sure what my deal is lately. Every night I have not been able to get to sleep until about 4:00am. It's awful. Makes me sleepy during the day - but naps are just out of the question.
I am making a trip to Hays, Kansas tomorrow with my friend Kayla. I am very excited to get out of town and just enjoy a simple day of shopping, eating, a pedicure and watching an old friend of mine play at a coffee shop later in the evening. It will be a good day!!
I've really been getting into the book Fearless by Max Lucado. I love Max Lucado as an author...he also wrote my favorite book He Chose the Nails. Anyway, the book is outstanding. A lot of quotes that I have been writing down to put into memory. It is also encouraging me to commit certain verses to memory. It goes through a lot of steps teaching me to recognize each fear I truly have. It is not just physical fear that he talks about - but many fears that I did not even recognize as a fear. The book is challenging me as well as encouraging me to take charge of my faith and my life as God is two steps ahead of me while also one step behind me as he guards and protects my life.
My favorite one from last night is: Another fear has fallen victim to trust.
My favorite one from last night is: Another fear has fallen victim to trust.
So funny how once we trust in God's plan and His purpose for out life there is no fear. It's taken away by trusting and placing faith in His plan and not our own.
Jeremiah 29.11 has always been my "life verse" aka my favorite :) It still makes me laugh with pure joy when I tell how once I decided to go to Mexico....everything just sort of fell into place.
It's not that you have planned - rather that those plans didn't include God.
I feel like my plans have been told to God...I've always known I would be involved in missions. He's told me that a long time ago. But I have always told Him how that was going to play out...and when...rather than seeking Him and letting Him TAKE over. I'd listen, but not surrender and change my life WHEN HE says to, I'd change my life when I think it's appropriate. NOT ANYMORE :) haha!
Laura K
